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Oral health programme for preschool children: a prospective, controlled study

Pia Meurman1, Kaisu Pienihäkkinen, Anna-Leena Eriksson

  • 1University of Turku, Institute of Dentistry, Turku, Finland. pia.meurman@utu.fi

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|March 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

A risk-based oral health program effectively reduced caries in white-collar families by targeting children with mutans streptococci (MS). Different strategies are needed for blue-collar families to prevent childhood tooth decay.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Traditional oral health programs (OHPs) require new approaches.
  • Evaluating a risk-based OHP against a standard program is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the preventive efficacy of a risk-based OHP compared to a traditional OHP.
  • To identify factors influencing caries development in young children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 794 Finnish children (18 months to 5 years) was studied.
  • Mutans streptococci (MS) screening identified children for targeted intervention.
  • Intervention included health education and xylitol for MS-positive children.

Main Results:

  • The risk-based OHP significantly reduced caries in white-collar families (NNT=3).
  • Early MS colonization, caretaker occupation, and gender were linked to caries risk.
  • The program showed effectiveness in white-collar families.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted, risk-based OHPs can decrease caries in white-collar families.
  • Alternative prevention methods are necessary for blue-collar families.
  • Early identification of MS colonization is key for effective OHP targeting.
Abstract

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